صفحة 1
THE LIFE OF NELSON
THE EMBODIMENT OF THE SEA POWER OF GREAT BRITAIN
BY
CAPTAIN A. T. MAHAN, D.C.L., LL.D.
UNITED STATES NAVY
AUTHOR OF
"THE INFLUENCE OF SEA POWER UPON HISTORY, 1660-1783,"
"THE INFLUENCE OF SEA POWER UPON THE FRENCH REVOLUTION AND EMPIRE,"
AND OF A "LIFE OF ADMIRAL FARRAGUT"
IN TWO VOLUMES
VOL. II.
LONDON
SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON, & COMPANY,
LIMITED
1897
Vice-Admiral, Lord Nelson
CONTENTS OF VOL. II.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. BATTLE PLANS. CHAPTER XIV. NELSON TEMPORARILY COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF IN THE MEDITERRANEAN.—RELIEVED BY LORD KEITH.—APPLIES TO RETURN TO ENGLAND ON ACCOUNT OF ILL HEALTH. AUGUST, 1799—JUNE, 1800. Nelson left in temporary command 1 His disposition of the squadron 1 Made Duke of Bronté in Sicily 2 His hopes of remaining in command disappointed 3 His discontent 3 Energy and tact in exercising command 4 Affairs in Rome and Naples 5 Nelson visits Minorca 6 His anxiety about Malta 7 Portuguese squadron recalled to Lisbon.—Nelson's action 8 Characteristics of his intercourse with foreign officials 10 Urgency with army to support blockade of La Valetta 12 Partial success in this 13 Successes on the Continent of the Coalition against France 14 Subsequent blunders and disasters 15 Nelson's mortification at Bonaparte's escape to France 16 The French defeat the Turks at Aboukir 17 Nelson peremptorily forbids Sidney Smith to allow any French to leave Egypt 18 Smith nevertheless countenances the Convention of El Arish 19 His action disallowed by Keith and Nelson 20 Nelson's vivid expressions of disapproval 21 Nelson joins Keith at Leghorn 22 They visit Palermo and Malta together 22 Capture of "Le Généreux," 74, by Nelson's division 24 Nelson's relations with Keith, and bearing towards him 27 Keith orders Nelson to take personal charge off Malta 28 Nelson's annoyance and remonstrance 29 His restiveness under Keith's command 30 He returns from Malta to Palermo 31 The "Guillaume Tell," 80, captured in his absence 31 Displeasure of the Admiralty at his quitting his station 32 Letters of the First Lord 33 Nelson's soreness under them 34 He applies for leave to return to England 35 CHAPTER XV. NELSON LEAVES THE MEDITERRANEAN.—THE JOURNEY OVERLAND THROUGH GERMANY.—ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND.—SEPARATION FROM LADY NELSON.—HOISTS HIS FLAG IN THE CHANNEL FLEET, UNDER LORD ST. VINCENT. JUNE, 1800—JANUARY, 1801. Nelson escorts the Queen of Naples to Leghorn with two British ships-of-the-line 36 Keith's displeasure 37 Nelson at Leghorn 37 Austrians defeated at Marengo 37 Nelson and the Hamiltons leave Leghorn for Ancona 39 Journey to Trieste and Vienna 40 Enthusiasm shown towards Nelson by the people 40 Mention of him and Lady Hamilton by eye-witnesses 41 Anecdotes of him 42 His meeting with the Archduke Charles at Prague 43 Mrs. St. George's account of him at Dresden 43 Her disparaging mention of Lady Hamilton 44 Arrival of the party in England 45 Lady Nelson's attitude at this time 46 Her letters to Nelson 47 His reception and conduct in London 48 Growing estrangement between him and Lady Nelson 51 Anecdote of his visit to Fonthill 52 Final breach with Lady Nelson 53 Her blameless character, and subsequent life 54 Nelson's testimony to her conduct 55 Hoists his flag on board the "San Josef" at Plymouth 56 Birth of the child Horatia 56 Nelson's care to conceal his relations with Lady Hamilton 57
صفحة 2
CHAPTER XVI. THE EXPEDITION TO THE BALTIC AND BATTLE OF COPENHAGEN.—NELSON RETURNS TO ENGLAND. FEBRUARY—JUNE, 1801. Origin of the trouble between Great Britain and Denmark 60 The entrance of the Czar Paul into the quarrel 62 Renewal of the Armed Neutrality of 1780 63 Relations of Bonaparte to this event 64 Nelson joins the fleet under Sir Hyde Parker, at Yarmouth 65 Relations between him and Parker 66 Nelson's disapproval of the plans for the expedition 68 Evident change in his general disposition 69 Anecdote of Nelson and the turbot 70 The fleet collected off the Skaw 70 Parker's slowness and Nelson's impatience 71 Alarming reports of the Danes' preparations 72 Nelson's attitude and counsels 73 Accuracy of his judgment of the conditions 74 Tact and discretion in his dealings with Parker 74 His letter to Parker upon the general situation 75 Parker's indecision 77 Nelson's plans adopted 78 The fleet passes the Sound 79 Detail and discussion of Nelson's plan of operations 80 His feelings and speech in the Council of War 82 Nelson's division anchors south of Copenhagen 82 Nelson on the night before the battle 83 The Danish dispositions for defence 85 Nelson's Plan of Attack—Detail and discussion 85 The Battle of Copenhagen 87 Parker makes the signal to leave off action 89 Nelson refuses to repeat it 90 Discussion of this incident 91 Incidents of the battle 94 Nelson addresses a letter to the Crown Prince under a flag of truce 94 Characteristic anecdote 95 Discussion of the sending of the flag of truce 96 The battle discontinued 97 Nelson removes his ships 97 Completeness of his success 98 Merit of his conduct throughout 99 He is advanced in the peerage to be a Viscount 99 No other rewards, or medals, bestowed for this action 99 Negotiations intrusted to Nelson by Parker 100 The murder of the Czar Paul 100 Armistice for fourteen weeks concluded with Denmark 103 Qualified approval of the British Government 104 The British fleet enters the Baltic 104 Nelson's ardor and personal recklessness.—Anecdote 105 Parker's sluggishness of action.—Nelson's impatience 106 Russia intimates her purpose to abstain from hostilities 107 Nelson's controversy with the Danish Commodore Fischer 108 Parker ordered home, and Nelson left in command 110 Dissatisfaction of the latter 110 His longing to return to Lady Hamilton 110 He insists upon being relieved, on account of his health 111 He starts at once with the fleet for Revel 111 Displeasure manifested by the Czar Alexander 112 Nelson withdraws from Revel to Rostock 113 The Czar thereupon raises the embargo on British merchant ships 114 Nelson's elation over this result of his conduct 114 Details of his life on board 115 His avoidance of social relations outside the ship 115 Relieved by Admiral Pole, and returns to England 117 CHAPTER XVII. NELSON COMMANDS THE "SQUADRON ON A PARTICULAR SERVICE," FOR THE DEFENCE OF THE COAST OF ENGLAND AGAINST INVASION.—SIGNATURE OF PRELIMINARIES OF PEACE WITH FRANCE. JULY-OCTOBER, 1801. Nelson's longing for repose 118 His services immediately required again 119 His reluctant consent 120 Bonaparte's threats of invasion 120 Inadequacy of British preparations for coast-defence 121 Nature of British apprehensions in 1801 122 Nelson's Memoranda for the Defence of the Thames
صفحة 3
class="pginternal" tag="{http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml}a">123 Analysis and discussion of this paper 126 St. Vincent's sagacious views on national defence 131 Apparent divergence between him and Nelson 131 Nelson hoists his flag again 133 His tact and courtesy towards others 134 Activity of his movements 135 Satisfied that there can be no invasion 136 Boat attack upon the vessels before Boulogne 137 Its disastrous failure 138 Nelson's distress 138 His exasperation at being kept afloat 138 His alienation from Troubridge 140 Annoyances of his situation 142 Death of Commander Parker.—Nelson's grief 143 His liberality in money matters 143 Pecuniary embarrassments 144 Signature of the preliminaries of peace 144 Nelson's satisfaction at the prospect of release 144 His indignation at the excessive elation of others 144 Receives leave of absence and goes home 145 CHAPTER XVIII. RELEASE FROM ACTIVE SERVICE DURING THE PEACE OF AMIENS.—HOME LIFE AT MERTON.—PUBLIC INCIDENTS. OCTOBER, 1801—MAY, 1803. Nelson makes his home with the Hamiltons 146 His letter of final severance to his wife 146 His relations to his stepson, Josiah Nisbet 147 Desire to have a home of his own 149 Lady Hamilton selects Merton for him 150 The purchase effected, and the Hamiltons reside with him 150 Position of Sir William and of Lady Hamilton in the house 151 Differences between them 152 Minto's account of the household at Merton 154 Reminiscence of the same by Nelson's nephew 155 Incident narrated by Lieutenant Layman 157 Recollections of Nelson by the vicar's daughter 159 Nelson's strong religious sense of Divine Providence 159 Takes his place in the House of Lords 160 His controversy about rewards for the Battle of Copenhagen 161 His action justified 165 Nelson's warm and avowed sympathy with his followers 165 His consistent maintenance of the ground assumed 166 His interest in public questions 168 Dissatisfaction with the general conduct of the Admiralty 169 His sense of neglect 170 Embarrassment in money matters 171 Inadequacy of his pension to his services 171 His doubts as to the continuance of peace 172 His antagonism to Bonaparte illustrated 172 Speech in seconding the address to the throne 173 Designated for the Mediterranean in case of war 174 Volunteers his services 174 Hoists his flag in the "Victory," and sails 175 Breaks in his home-ties during this period 176 Death of his father 176 Death of Sir William Hamilton 177 Hamilton's expressed confidence in Nelson 178 Relations of Nelson's family to Lady Nelson and to Lady Hamilton 178 CHAPTER XIX. COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF IN THE MEDITERRANEAN.—THE LONG WATCH OFF TOULON.—OCCUPATIONS OF A COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. MAY, 1803—JANUARY, 1805. Changed political conditions in the Mediterranean 179 Attitude of the Great Powers 180 Situation of Spain and Portugal 181 Policy of the Italian States 181 Nelson's sense of the importance of the Mediterranean 182 Bonaparte's policy 184 The course advocated by Nelson 185 Accuracy of his general forecast 187 Impatience to reach his station 188 Unwilling detention off Ushant 188 Quits the "Victory," and proceeds in a frigate 189 Momentary stop in Gibraltar 189 Arrival at Malta 190 Extensive correspondence 190 Policy as regards the Two Sicilies 191 His impatience with blind observance of orders
صفحة 4
href="@public@vhost@g@gutenberg@html@files@16915@[email protected]#Page_192" class="pginternal" tag="{http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml}a">192 Departure from Malta for Toulon 194 Emotions at the sight of Naples 194 Opinion on Malta's value to England 195 Strategic importance of Malta and Gibraltar 195 Nelson joins the fleet before Toulon 196 Bad condition of the ships 196 His skilful administration of the fleet 197 Difficulty of obtaining supplies 198 His attitude towards Spain 199 Importance of Sardinia in Nelson's eyes 200 The valuable anchorage at Madalena 201 Station taken by him off Toulon 202 Fears loss of Sardinia, and serious consequences 203 Significance of Napoleon's inactivity in the Mediterranean 204 The winter rendezvous of the fleet.—Number 97 205 Seamanlike care of ships and spars 206 Preserves health of seamen by constant activity 206 Sanitary conditions of the fleet 208 His personal health, and anxieties 209 Fears a break-down 210 Speculations as to French intentions 211 Characteristic distrust of Frenchmen 211 Increasing perplexities 212 Firmness of his resolution 213 The French manoeuvre outside Toulon 214 Nelson's tactical conclusions and arrangements 215 His care to impart his ideas to his officers 216 Methods of intercourse with them 217 Exasperation at a statement of Latouche Tréville 217 Endeavors to force or to lure the French to sea 219 Effect of worry upon his mind 221 His last promotion.—Vice-Admiral of the White 221 Wearing effect of protracted monotony 222 Refuses to let Lady Hamilton join him 223 The daily life on board 224 Account of Nelson's health and habits 225 Occupations in business hours 228 Diplomatic ability and conciliatory temper 229 Sharp reply to remonstrance about blockades 230 Difficulties with Algiers 230 Nelson's diligent pursuit of information 233 Interest in listening to conversations 233 Examination of foreign journals and captured letters 234 Kindliness in intercourse with others 236 Exercise of official patronage 239 Protection of British trade 241 Want of frigates and small cruisers 243 Collection and protection of convoys 244 Nelson applies for sick leave 245 Desire to return to the station afterwards 246 Leave is granted by the Admiralty 246 The Mediterranean Station divided 247 Sir John Orde given the portion west of Gibraltar 247 Nelson's dissatisfaction and complaints 247 His change of mind about going home 249 Learns Cornwallis's order to seize Spanish treasure-ships 251 Directs captains under his orders not to obey 251 Letter illustrative of the characteristics of his orders 252 Adequacy of his measures to the requirements of the case 254 Determines not to use his leave of absence 255 Orde arrives off Cadiz 256 Indications of the French fleet leaving Toulon 257 Nelson receives word of the seizure of Spanish ships 258 Promptness of his measures.—Reasons therefor 258 Rumors of French departure 260 Annoyances caused Nelson by Orde 261 The mission of the frigate "Amazon" 261 Nelson's hope of meeting the French fleet 263 Opinions on general subjects 263 Sympathetic insight into Bonaparte's purposes 265 The French fleet sails from Toulon 266 CHAPTER XX. THE ESCAPE AND PURSUIT OF THE TOULON FLEET.—NELSON'S RETURN TO ENGLAND. JANUARY-AUGUST, 1805. Object of Napoleon's
صفحة 5
combinations in 1805 267 Details of his plan 268 Nelson's share in thwarting it 269 The difficulties of one dealing with Napoleon 271 Nelson's guiding principle 271 The sailing of the Toulon fleet 272 Nelson's movements and perplexities 273 Goes to Alexandria 277 Returns to Gulf of Palmas, Sardinia 278 British disasters in Western Mediterranean 278 Characteristic letter of Nelson in behalf of an officer 279 Explanations to the Admiralty about his own course 280 Makes a round off Toulon and Barcelona to deceive the enemy 282 Returns to the Gulf of Palmas 283 The Toulon fleet sails again 284 Its movements and those of Nelson 284 Distress and misfortunes of the latter 286 Learns that the French fleet has passed the Straits 287 Thoroughness and sagacity of his measures 287 Continued head winds and distress of mind 289 The excitement in London 290 Gloom at the Admiralty 291 Nelson's constancy against bad fortune 292 Hears that the French and Spaniards are gone to the West Indies 292 Determines to follow them there 295 Sails in pursuit 296 Incidents of the voyage 297 Arrives in Barbadoes 298 Misled by false information 299 Rapid measures to retrieve the mis-step 299 Infers that the enemy have returned to Europe 301 He starts back immediately for Gibraltar 302 His judgments rapid, but not precipitate 302 Strength of his convictions 303 Relief from the anxiety previously felt 303 Movements of the allies and of Nelson 304 Precautions of the latter 305 His own explanation of his reasons 305 Discussion of this utterance 306 Indecisive engagement between the allies and Sir Robert Calder 307 Alarm in London at the failure of the latter 307 Nelson's protracted pursuit and mental depression 308 Reaches the Straits again 309 Appreciation of his action by others 310 Exchange of views between Nelson and Collingwood 311 Movements of Villeneuve, Calder, and Nelson 313 Nelson's arrival in Gibraltar 314 Subsequent rapid movements 315 Learns the news brought by the "Curieux" 315 Starts at once for the northward 315 Joins the Channel Fleet off Ushant 317 Leaves his squadron with Cornwallis, and proceeds to England 317 Anchors at Spithead 318 His sympathy with Calder 318 Tenacity of his opinions 319 CHAPTER XXI. NELSON'S LAST STAY IN ENGLAND. AUGUST 19—SEPTEMBER 15, 1805. Nelson hauls down his flag and goes to Merton 320 Interviews with the Admiralty 320 His one meeting with Wellington 321 Interview with Lord Castlereagh 323 Popular demonstrations of affection 325 Home life at Merton 326 Presentiments 327 Intimations of early summons into service 327 News arrives that the combined fleets are in Cadiz 328 Determination of the British Government 328 Nelson's opinion on the License System 330 His services requested by the Government 330 Lady Hamilton's part in his decision 331 It is settled that he return to the Mediterranean 332 His health and spirits 332 His insistence upon the need for numbers 333 Final departure from home 335 Flag re-hoisted on board the "Victory"
صفحة 6
href="@public@vhost@g@gutenberg@html@files@16915@[email protected]#Page_335" class="pginternal" tag="{http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml}a">335 Anecdote of Nelson and the gypsy 335 CHAPTER XXII. THE ANTECEDENTS OF TRAFALGAR. SEPTEMBER 15—OCTOBER 19, 1805. Popular demonstrations when Nelson embarked 337 The passage to Cadiz 338 Precautions to deceive the enemy 339 His reception by the officers of the fleet 339 The "Plan of Attack" of May, 1805 341 The "Nelson Touch" 343 Discussion and comparison of these two papers 346 Comparison between the second and the Battle of Trafalgar, as fought 350 Nelson and Sir Robert Calder 353 Nelson's concession to Calder, and his own comments upon it 355 His disposition of the fleet before Cadiz 356 His fear lest the enemy should evade him 358 Growing presentiments, and cheerful calmness 359 Anecdote showing his considerateness 359 Necessity for sending away a detachment 360 Numbers of the British, and of the allies in Cadiz 360 Nelson's general intentions, made known to his subordinates 361 The enemy begins to leave Cadiz 362 CHAPTER XXIII. TRAFALGAR.—THE DEATH OF NELSON. OCTOBER 19-21, 1805. Numbers and composition of the opposing fleets 363 Difficulties of the allies in leaving port 364 Respective movements of the two fleets 364 Nelson's last letter to Lady Hamilton 365 His last letter to his child 366 Events and incidents of October 20 366 Relative positions of the fleets at midnight 368 Conditions at daybreak of the 21st 369 The manoeuvres of the two fleets 370 Nelson's intercourse with Blackwood on the 21st 372 He bequeaths Lady Hamilton and Horatia to the care of his Country 375 The hostile fleets forming for battle 377 Nelson's impatience to close the enemy 378 The anxiety of others for his personal safety 379 The order of the allies while awaiting attack 379 Nelson's last prayer as entered in his journal 380 The origin and development of his famous signal 382 The battle opens 383 The "Victory" comes under fire 384 Nelson bids Blackwood a final farewell 385 Exposure and loss of life on board the "Victory" 386 The "Victory" breaks the enemy's line 387 Her duel with the "Redoutable" 387 Nelson falls, mortally wounded 388 The death-scene in the cockpit 389 The decisive hour of the battle 390 The second and closing phase of the battle 391 Nelson's anxiety about Hardy 391 Hardy's first visit to his death-bed 392 The final exchange of shots 393 Hardy's second visit and Nelson's farewell 394 The last moments 395 The death of Nelson 396 The close of the fight 396 The significance of Nelson's life 397 The perfect fulfilment of his life's work 398 INDEX.